Onegaishimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, Senpai and Deshi,
Although there are 19 kata in our system, no one is expected
to master them all. (Kata section, questions 21 and 22,
Red Book) Rather, we can only hope to master one or two
during a lifetime. This one or two should become your demonstration
kata. Train it often with maximum effort. Then, whenever
your dojo has a demonstration you are instantly ready. In
addition, you should seek out others in our system working
on the same kata and practice with them. This can be a very
powerful group demonstration.
For me I seek to master Fukugata-san and Chinto. I can only
hope to achieve this goal in my lifetime. I look forward
to all the excellent demonstrations at the 50th anniversary
this summer in New York!